Kristi Kates | Author

It’s disco but not entirely ’70s. Synthesized but not cold. Derivative, but in a purposeful (if not always successful) way. Arcade Fire chose an often-derided musical era to influence their latest set, and while some choices prove worthy twists on those sounds (“P...
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Ever wonder what cookbooks your favorite chefs read and use? We’ve sought out the tomes that are tops on the shelves of some of northern Michigan’s best local chefs and cooks. Find out why these particular cookbooks helped launch, sustain, or inspire their culinary careers!Read More >>

Fifty years ago this summer, a group of farmers got together to display their farm equipment at a friendly neighborhood show, to get a little insight into each other’s work methods and to enjoy some camaraderie.

Singer Lana Del Rey (pictured) released her fourth album, Lust for Life, earlier this month, and she prefaced the album’s release with two new songs that are included on the set, the filmy “Groupie Love” and a collaboration with rapper Read More >>

Pretty much everything needs to begin with a good foundation, and faces are not excluded from that philosophy. After a summer spent under the sun, slathered with sunscreen, and spritzed with insect repellent, you’ll want to renew your skin and update your features wit...
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Stacking blocks of electronica and pop upon his established base of spiritual alternative rock, Dixon’s latest pulls together sympathetic mental ponderings, encouraging anthems, and conceptual explorations in an ambitious undertaking that mostly works, thanks to the common thread of...
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The annual Traverse City Summer Microbrew and Music Festival is turning 10 years old this August. One of TC’s premier summertime events, the festival heads back to the front lawn of the Village at Grand Traverse Commons August 11 and 12. Here’s what you can expect:

Singer and hip-hop artist Aloe Blacc, so far best known for his collaboration with Avicii on the hit single “Wake Me Up,” will host a new 3-D documentary called America’s Treasures, which will explore American culture through it...
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Looking for a chic and cheap way to update your fall wardrobe? We shopped the fall 2017 runways to bring you the quintessential quartet of accessories — all available at Up North boutiques — that’ll easily up your autumn style ante without emptying your wallet.

Just formed at the end of last year, The Magpie Salute is a spinoff of The Black Crowes, consisting of former The Black Crowes members Rich Robinson, Sven Pipien, and Marc Ford (The Crowes broke up in 2015.) The Salute’s sound is very reminiscent of the Crowes, most obviously so on ...
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Kristin Schrader, the communications manager for the Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS), bubbles over with enthusiasm for buoys. She’s even got a buoy license plate and buoy stickers on her car. Yes, buoys — those ubiquitous floating water markers (usually used...
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Round ’em up and move ’em out! We’re more than halfway through summer, so you’d best saddle up and get to as many festivals as you can before summer’s over. Here’s a quick guide to a trio of fests coming up over the next couple of weeks.

Fall Out Boy has returned with a brand new track, “Champion,” that’s half arena rocker, half motivational chant with its refrain, “I can do anything.” The tune is baffling fans to some degree as it’s very different stylistically t...
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Detroit-style pizza and Finnish pasties. In the classic words of Sesame Street, “One of these things is not like the other.” But Lake Leelanau’s RedTop Pasteria most definitely makes this Motor City-Finn merge work.

Some are obvious, some less so. Some are easy to access — some take a little adventuring. But what they all have in common is that they’ve got a direct line to Hollywood, having served as settings for various films shot in our Great Lakes state. Here’s how you can visit ...
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Founded in 2016 by Traverse City’s Courtney Lorenz, a former culinary student at Northwestern Michigan College, Cultured Ferments is bringing a homebrew-inspired version of Kombucha — a slightly fizzy, fermented sweet tea — to the masses. ...
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The individuals enter quietly, one by one, into the dark underground lair, each carrying charts and pens, provisions, and communication devices. They have a solid week stretching before them, with many challenges ahead, but their mission is clear.

If you’re intrigued by innovative inventions and cool, crafty creators, then the 2017 Detroit Maker Faire — essentially a science fair on some major steroids — is a downstate destination you should put on your summer to-do list.